Lint removal device

ABSTRACT

A lint removal device is provided. A first version provides a compactly designed, flexible and portable substrate having an adhesive disposed on an outer surface. The first version allows a user to insert one and up to four fingers into a channel and contact therein an inner surface of the substrate. A modification of the first version includes layers of protective sheeting interposed between layers of adhesives, whereby the first device provides consecutively available layers of adhesives for multiple use occasions. A second version allows the tips of the user&#39;s fingers to extend fully through and be exposed during use of the device, whereby the device may roll about the user&#39;s fingers as the user&#39;s fingers pass across and press against a fabric or textile sheet. A third version includes a thumb hole, where the substrate is shaped to substantially shaped to enclose the user&#39;s palm and four fingers when in use, and the user&#39;s thumb extends through the thumb hole.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and techniques for removinglint and particulates form textiles. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to providing a portable device useful for removinglint and particulates from cloth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The aesthetic appearance of clothing is a primary contributor to thevalue of clothing to many consumers. In addition, the immediatecleanliness of clothing can greatly affect the opinion that observersmight form about the wearer. Yet clothing is often at least partlyexposed to the environment surrounding the wearer, whereby lint andother particulate contaminants may fall onto, and remain visible upon,an outer surface of the clothing.

As used herein, the term “lint” is defined to include fibers orparticulates comprising organic, natural or synthetic substances,including mammalian hair, dandruff and other natural and/or syntheticparticles or particulate matter.

A desire to remove lint can easily occur when the wearer is away fromhome and has limited access to materials and devices to accomplish thisgoal. The prior art provides lint removal mitts configured for receivingsome or all of a user's hand. Yet these prior art lint removal glovesare not designed to enable compact storage and efficient deployment froma storage position.

There is, therefore, a long felt need to provide a lint removal devicethat is compact, portable, reliable and convenient to use.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lint removaldevice that can be manually applied by a user.

It is an additional optional object of the present invention to providea portable lint removal device that may be folded and/or rolled forcompactness and portability.

It is a further optional object of certain preferred embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a lint removal device that is low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects will be apparent in light of the prior art andthis disclosure. A first preferred embodiment of the present inventionprovides a lint removal device, the lint removal device comprising andadhesive layered upon one side of a flexible substrate, the flexiblesubstrate configured to receive and enclose at least one human fingerand having an inner surface and an outer surface. The adhesive may begenerally disposed upon the outer surface of the substrate, the outersurface having less than 18 square inches of surface area. The adhesivemay be a pressure sensitive adhesive, or, alternatively, may compriseany other suitable adhesive known in the art that operates to adhere andhold lint thereto, and operates as described herein. The adhesive mayhave qualities that permit a surface of the invented devise havingadhesive located thereon to be washed to remove the lint therefrom,permitting the instant surface of the invented device to be re-used toremove lint.

In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, theouter surface may have more than six square inches of surface area.Alternately or additionally, the substrate may be elastic and beconfigured to be in tension against at least one human finger when inuse.

In certain still alternate preferred embodiments of the presentinvention may further comprise a removable protective sheet disposedbetween the adhesive and configured for removal and disposal. Inaddition, the invented device may include a second adhesive disposedupon an outer layer of the removable protective sheet, whereby thesecond adhesive may be used to remove lint prior to the removal anddisposal of the removable protective sheet.

In certain yet alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention,the device may by configured for storage in a folded state, and/or maybe contained within a protective travel bag, and optionally with a ring.The optional ring may pass through an aperture of the travel bag. Thetravel bag may additionally present a visible logo, such as a corporatelogo.

In certain other alternate preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, the invented device may include a first aperture and a secondaperture, wherein the user may extend at least one finger through thedevice and an element of a tip of the at least one finger may be exposedwhen using the device. An inner surface of the substrate is smooth, andthe substrate is configured to roll about at least one finger of theuser when the device is pressed against and pulled along a fabric. Thedevice may be shaped for storage in a doughnut shape.

In certain yet other alternate preferred embodiments, the inventeddevice is sized and shaped to substantially enclose the user's hand, andincludes a thumb hole. The thumb hole allows the extension of the user'sthumb through the device, whereby the device is stabilized by the user'sthumb during use. The shape of the substrate and the position of thethumb hole may allow the user to effectively deploy the device on eithera left hand or a right hand.

In certain yet other alternate preferred embodiments of the Method ofthe Present Invention, the invented device is constructed from anysuitable material known in the art that is capable of being utilized asa lint collection device described herein. Frequently, the inventeddevice will be constructed from a material comprising paper (untreatedor treated in any manner), cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (wovenor nonwoven or synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof. In onealternate preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention,the invented device is at least partially constructed from apolypropylene material. In another alternate preferred embodiment of theMethod of the Present Invention, the invented device is at leastpartially constructed from a polyethylene material.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will beapparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, and further features of the invention, may be better understoodwith reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depictingthe preferred embodiment, in which: These, and further features of theinvention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanyingspecification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, or first version;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a modification of the first version of FIG.1 wherein a plurality of adhesive and protecting layers provide aplurality of adhesive layers made consecutively available for lintremoval;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a second preferred alternate embodiment ofthe Method of the Present Invention wherein the first version of FIG. 1is rolled and placed within a travel bag and in a compact travelposition;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a third preferred alternate embodiment ofthe Method of the Present Invention wherein the first version of FIG. 1is located within a travel bag and in a compact travel position;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a fourth alternate preferred embodiment ofthe Method of the Present Invention, or fourth version, wherein the tipsof the users fingers may extend through third version and be exposedduring use of the third version;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a fifth preferred embodiment of the Methodof the Present Invention, or fifth version, wherein the fifth versionsubstantially encloses a user's palm and four fingers, and whileallowing an extension of the user's thumb through a thumb hole;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a second side of the fifth preferredembodiment of the Method of the Present Invention of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the first version of FIG. 1 in a foldedposition;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the first version of FIG. 1 with a reducedprotective sheet; and

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the first version of FIG. 1 in a foldedposition and with a reduced protective sheet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In describing the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will beutilized for the sake of clarity. Such terminology is intended toencompass the recited embodiment, as well as all technical equivalents,which operate in a similar manner for a similar purpose to achieve asimilar result.

Referring now to generally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 1and 2, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention 2, or firstversion 2, is a lint removal device 2 that includes an adhesive 4layered upon of a flexible substrate 6. The flexible substrate 6includes a back sheet 8 and an application sheet 10. The adhesive 4 islayered upon an application side 10A of the application sheet 10. FIGS.1 and 2 present the first version 2 in an application configuration S1.

The back sheet 8 and application sheet 10 are adhered or, otherwiseattached by a suitable method or means known in the art, along an edge12 that is sized and shaped to define a pocket 14. The pocket 14 issized and shaped to at least partially receive through an aperture 16one or more human fingers 18. When inserted into the pocket 14, thefinger(s) 18 are substantially in contact with an inner surface 10B ofthe application sheet 10 and a pocket surface 8A of the back sheet 8.

The adhesive 4 may be generally disposed upon the application surface10A of the application sheet 10. The application surface 10A may presentless than 18 square inches of surface area, or alternatively be sized topresent less than 18 square inches of surface are but more than sixsquare inches of surface area.

The back sheet 8 and the application sheet 10 of the flexible substrate6 each comprise a sheet of flexible material that is (a.) three inchesin a height dimension parallel to an A axis, (b.) three inches in awidth dimension parallel to a B axis, and (c.) 0.1 to 20 mils in athickness dimension parallel to a Z axis. The A, B and Z axes are eachmutually orthogonal to each other.

In use, the user places one or more fingers 18 of a left hand or a righthand within the pocket 14 and then presses the application surface 10Aof the flexible substrate 6 against a fabric 20. Upon this pressing,lint 22 is contacted by the adhesive 4 and sticks to the adhesive 4 asthe first version 2 is removed from the fabric 20. The adhesive 4 may bea pressure sensitive adhesive, or, alternatively, may comprise any othersuitable adhesive known in the art that operates to adhere and hold lintthereto, and operates as described herein. The adhesive 4 may havequalities which permit the application surface 10A of the first version2 having adhesive 4 located thereon to be washed to remove the lint 22therefrom, permitting the application surface 10A of the first version 2to be re-used to remove lint 11 (as per FIG. 2).

The substrate 6 may be elastic and be configured to be in tensionagainst at least one human finger 18 when in use. In lint removal use,the inner surface 10B of the application sheet 10 and the pocket surface8A of the back sheet 8 may thereby press against one or more fingers 18to create a snug fit of the first version 2 around the user's finger(s)18.

The first version 2 may be folded into a travel position by foldingalong a first fold line F1, wherein the first fold line F1 is parallelto the A axis, and the fold line F1 substantively bisects the flexiblesubstrate 6 along the width dimension of the flexible substrate 6.Alternatively or additionally, a the first version 2 may be folded intoa travel position by folding along a second fold line F2, wherein thesecond fold line F2 is parallel to the B axis, and the fold line F1substantively bisects the flexible substrate 6 along the heightdimension of the flexible substrate 6.

Referring now to generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2,the first version 2 may further include one or more removable protectivesheets 24 disposed upon the adhesive 4 and configured for removal fromthe substrate 6 and disposal. Each protective sheet 24 may have an outerlayer 16 that presents a layer of adhesive 4. The first version 2 maythereby provide a plurality of adhesive protective sheets 24 that enableapplications of each protective sheet 24 in separate and consecutiveapplications of lint removal.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3, thefirst version 2 may be comprised within a second preferred embodiment ofthe Method of the Present Invention, or second version 26. In the secondversion 26 the first version 2 is (a.) rolled into a first travelconfiguration S2 and about the height or width dimension, and (b.)encapsulated within a carrying case 28.

The flexible substrate 6, the protective sheet 24, the carrying case 28are made of a plastic sheet material having a thickness in a range fromabout 0.1 mils to about 20 mils. Preferably, the flexible substrate 6,the protective sheet 24, the carrying case 28 are made of a plasticsheet material having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mils toabout 15 mils.

The second version 2 is sized and shaped to fit within a heightdimension parallel to the A axis of 1.6 inches and a width dimensionparallel to the B axis of 0.3 inches. Additionally, the width dimensionmay be a radial dimension of 0.15 inches about the A axis of the heightdimension.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4, thefirst version 2 may be further included in a third preferred embodimentof the Method of the Present invention 30, or third version 30, whereinthe first version 2 is configured for storage in a folded state S1,and/or may be contained when in state S3 when enclosed within aprotective travel bag 32, and optionally with a ring 34. In the foldedstate S1 the first version is folded along both the first fold line F1and the second fold line F2.

The optional ring 34 may pass through a ring aperture 36 of the travelbag 32. The ring 34 may be substantially circular and have anapproximate radius of 0.5 inches and made of a metallic wire materialhaving radius of 0.125 inches. The ring aperture 36 is configured toreceive the ring 34, and may permit an opening of a radius of 0.150inches.

The travel bag 32 may additionally present a visible logo L, such as acorporate logo L2. The term corporate logo is defined herein to includea visible image that may comprise a signage or a symbol associable witha person, a sports team or organization, a performing artist or artists,a non-governmental organization, a for profit corporation, an ethnicgroup, or other public or private association, entity or corporation.

The travel bag 32, the flexible substrate 6, and the protective sheet 24are made of a plastic sheet material having a thickness in a range fromabout 0.1 mils to about 20 mils. Preferably, the flexible substrate 6,the protective sheet 24 and the travel bag 32 are made from a plasticsheet material having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mils toabout 15 mils.

Alternatively or additionally, the carrying case 28, travel bag 32, theflexible substrate 6, and the protective sheet 24 are made at leastpartially from of a sheet material comprising a suitable material knownin the art, to include paper (untreated or treated in any manner),polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric(woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5, FIG.5 illustrates a fourth preferred embodiment of the Method of the PresentInvention 38, or fourth version 38. In the fourth version 38 of theinvented device may include a second flexible substrate 40 having afirst aperture 42 and a second aperture 42. The user may extend at leastone finger 18 through the fourth version 38 and an element 18A of a tipof the at least one finger 18 may be exposed when using the fourthversion 38. An inner surface 40A of the second substrate 40 is smooth,and the second substrate 40 is configured to roll about at least onefinger 18 of the user when the fourth version 38 is pressed against andpulled along the fabric 20. Adhesive 4 is layered upon an outer side 40Bof the second substrate 40.

The second substrate 40 may be configured, sized and shaped to present aheight dimension of 3.0 inches and presenting the first aperture 42 andthe second aperture 44 with respective radii of 2.0 inches. In use, thefirst and second apertures 44 & 42 conform in shape in accordance withthe nature of the material of the second substrate 40 and the shape andpressure of the user's finger(s) 18.

The fourth version 40 may be shaped for storage in a doughnut shape S4when encapsulated in the travel bag 32.

The second flexible substrate 40 may be made at least partially from ofa sheet material comprising a suitable material known in the art, toinclude paper (untreated or treated in any manner), polyethylene,polypropylene, cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwovenor synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 6 and7, FIG. 6 presents a view of a first side of a fifth alternate preferredembodiment of the Method of the Present Invention 44, or fifth version44, that is sized and shaped to substantially enclose the user's palm 46and four fingers 18. A third substrate 48 of the fifth version 44includes a left thumb hole 50. The left thumb hole 50 is sized andshaped to allow an extension of a user's left thumb 52 through the thirdsubstrate 48 whereby the fourth version 44 is stabilized by the user'sthumb 52 when the third substrate 48 is pressed against the fabric 18.The location of the left thumb hole 50 enables the user to effectivelydeploy the fifth version 44 on a left hand.

The third flexible substrate 48 may be made at least partially from of asheet material comprising a suitable material known in the art, toinclude paper (untreated or treated in any manner), polyethylene,polypropylene, cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwovenor synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof.

FIG. 7 presents a view of a second side of the fifth version 44 andshows a right thumb hole 54. The location of the right thumb hole 54enables the user to effectively deploy the fifth version 44 on a righthand.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2and 8, FIG. 8 is a side view of the first version 2 in a position S5wherein the first version 2 is folded about axis B and along the secondfold line F2.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 9 and10, FIG. 9 presents the first version with a reduced protective sheet56. The reduced protective sheet 56 is sized and shaped to coverapproximately slightly more one half of the surface area of the adhesive4. As shown in FIG. 10, when the flexible substrate 6 is folded over thesecond fold line F2, the reduced protective sheet is sized and shaped tosubstantively reduce contact between adhesive 4.

For example, where (a.) the application surface 10A is sized as a 3.0inch by 3.0 inch square and (b.) the adhesive 4 is layered upon theapplication surface 10A in a 2.8 inch by 2.8 inch square that isbisected by the second fold line F2, then the reduced 10 protectivesheet 56 may be sized as a square of 1.45 inches by 1.45 inches. Thereduced protective sheet 56 thereby may contact substantively the entireadhesive 4 when the first version is in position S5 and folded over thesecond fold line F2.

The reduced protective sheet 56 may be made at least partially from of asheet material comprising a suitable material known in the art, toinclude paper (untreated or treated in any manner), polyethylene,polypropylene, cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwovenor synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof.

The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of thePresent Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope ofthe Present Invention. The above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given includemany specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certainpossible embodiments of the Present Invention. The examples given shouldonly be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferredembodiments of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the PresentInvention should be determined by the appended claims and their legalequivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variousadaptations and modifications of the just-described preferredembodiments can be configured without departing from the scope andspirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood thatthe Present Invention may be practiced other than as specificallydescribed herein. The scope of the Present Invention as disclosed andclaimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledgeof one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presentedabove.

1. A lint removal device, the lint removal device comprising: a flexiblesubstrate, the flexible substrate having an inner surface and an outersurface, and the flexible substrate configured to receive and partiallyenclose at least one human finger within the inner surface; an adhesive,the adhesive generally disposed upon the outer surface; a removableprotective sheet, the protective sheet removably covering the adhesive,and the flexible substrate configured for positioning into a size ofless than two inches by two inches by 0.25 inches.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the adhesive is reusable after washing.
 3. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the outer surface has more than six square inches ofsurface area.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate iselastic, and the substrate is configured to be in tension against atleast one human finger when in use.
 5. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a second adhesive disposed upon an outer layer of theremovable protective sheet, whereby the second adhesive may be used toremove lint prior to the removal and disposal of the removableprotective sheet.
 6. The device of claim 1, the device furthercomprising a travel bag, the travel bag substantively enclosing thesubstrate.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the wherein the device isconfigured for storage in a folded state when substantively enclosed bythe travel bag.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrateis configured into a rolled travel position, wherein the flexiblesubstrate is positioned into a cylinder of less than two inches inlength and 0.25 inches diameter.
 9. The device of claim 8, the devicefurther comprising a travel bag, the travel bag substantively enclosingthe substrate.
 10. The device of claim 6, wherein the travel bagpresents a visible logo.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the devicepresents a corporate logo.
 12. A lint removal device, the lint removaldevice comprising: a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate havingan inner surface and an outer surface, and the flexible substrateconfigured to receive and partially enclose at least one human fingerwithin the inner surface, and wherein the substrate includes a firstaperture and a second aperture, wherein the user may extend at least onefinger through the first and second apertures of the substrate and anelement of a tip of the at least one finger is exposed when using thedevice; an adhesive, the adhesive generally disposed upon the outersurface; a removable protective sheet, the protective sheet removablycovering the adhesive, and the flexible substrate configured forpositioning into a size of less than two inches by two inches by 0.25inches.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the adhesive is reusableafter washing.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the substrate iselastic, and the substrate is configured to be in tension against the atleast one human finger when in use.
 15. The device of claim 12, furthercomprising a second adhesive disposed upon an outer layer of theremovable protective sheet, whereby the second adhesive may be used toremove lint prior to the removal and disposal of the removableprotective sheet.
 16. The device of claim 12, wherein the inner surfaceof the substrate is smooth, and the substrate is configured to rollabout at least one finger when the device is pressed against and pulledalong a fabric.
 17. The device of claim 12, wherein the device isconfigured for storage in a doughnut shape.
 18. The device of claim 12,the device further comprising a travel bag, the travel bag substantivelyenclosing the substrate.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the deviceis configured for storage in a doughnut shape when substantivelyenclosed by the travel bag.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein thetravel bag presents a visible logo.